The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 215

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 215

Chapter 215. Karma (4)

Palgap entered my guest room while I was diligently handling matters at the inn.
“Young Master, we’ve received word from Ma Jang-ju.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. He says he has found a fine cotton field.”
I smiled with satisfaction.
“He’s taken the bait.”
“Shall I prepare for us to depart immediately?”
“No. We’ll go in a day or two.”
“Pardon? Why is that?”
“We must avoid unnecessary suspicion. If I rush over too quickly, he might grow wary and think ‘Could this be a trap?’ That would be troublesome. So we need to be thorough in our deception.”
I continued.
“If we’re going to do this, we must do it convincingly.”
“….”
Seeing Palgap’s weary expression, I tilted my head curiously.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I was just thinking how fortunate it is that I am your servant and not your enemy, Young Master.”
“You’re quite the jester.”
Just then, Geumryeong entered through the window.
“Squawk!”
“You’re back!”
Geumryeong was carrying a scroll in its beak.
It had just returned from Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, where I had sent it.
I had dispatched it there knowing that Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master, was staying there, and it had successfully obtained what was needed for Han Jae-ik’s family.

Two days had passed.
I dressed in new silk robes that I had prepared in advance from a nearby fabric shop, and I had Palgap and the Guard Warriors dress in new silk robes as well.
“To wear silk robes so frequently—it brings me such joy. Hahaha.”
Seeing the Yeo Eung-am Warrior burst into hearty laughter, Lee Pil Warrior also chuckled and responded to his words.
“It seems you’ve become completely accustomed to silk robes by now.”
“When you travel with the Young Master, you can’t help but adapt.”
“That’s certainly true.”
Listening to the two warriors’ conversation, I felt satisfied that I had wisely dressed them in silk robes beforehand to help them acclimate.

We arrived at the Ma Family Manor shortly after.
“Welcome! We have been expecting you.”
Today, an Attendant was waiting at the gate. It meant he was quite anxious about this meeting.
According to the information Jin Yu Warrior had gathered, the Murim Alliance would bring the contract again around tomorrow afternoon.
That’s why I came a day early.
As I followed the Attendant to the Guest Reception Room, expensive refreshments were already laid out.
The tea was premium Dragon Well tea as before, though the pastries were different from last time.
As I savored the tea, I heard the sound of Ma Jang-ju approaching.
He came before I’d even finished one cup—he must be quite eager.
The door opened hastily, and his disheveled appearance suggested he’d been running.
“I greet you, Ma Jang-ju.”
“Yes, we meet again. Please, sit.”
“Thank you.”
“By the way, I sent that message two days ago… why did it take so long?”
“My apologies. I have been quite occupied with various matters, and finding time has been difficult. As you know, the Emperor himself has entrusted certain affairs to our Trading Company.”
At the mention of the Emperor, Ma Jang-ju cleared his throat and changed the subject.
“Ahem, well, if that’s the case, it can’t be helped.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“Anyway, I called you here because I heard you were looking for good cotton fields.”
“Ah, yes, that’s correct.”
“But the cotton fields in this area belong only to me. Still, you seemed quite eager about it.”
He was desperate to sell the cotton fields for money, yet he was trying hard not to lose control of the negotiation.
“Actually, I’m not in such a hurry. I don’t need to start the business immediately, nor does it have to be here.”
“Ha, well, that may be true, but there aren’t many places that can produce cotton of quality equal to mine. I can assure you of that.”
He took the bait perfectly.
“Can you sell it right away?”
“Of course. If you need it, I can arrange it anytime.”
“How many acres are you thinking of selling?”
“One hundred sixty thousand acres.”
A jackpot. According to the information I’d gathered beforehand, Ma Jang-ju’s entire cotton field holdings amounted to roughly one hundred sixty thousand acres.
In other words, he was selling everything.
Honestly, it’s not an investment method I would normally recommend, but it works in my favor.
He swallowed the hook completely.
“I’ll give you two thousand taels in gold.”
“Give me more.”
“Then I’ll offer twenty-one hundred taels.”
After roughly an hour of intense negotiation, we concluded the deal.
The final amount was twenty-three hundred taels.
As I tucked the contract into my robe, Ma Jang-ju asked:
“When can you provide the payment?”
“I can provide it first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Truly?”
“Yes, if needed, I can even have it brought from the pawn shop and delivered on the spot.”
“Excellent. If you find yourself short on guards, I could lend you some as well.”
“I would be most grateful for that.”
I sipped my tea and smiled faintly.
Purchasing the cotton fields at a price slightly above current market rates was hardly a loss.
Rather, it was a transaction that would bring me considerable profit.
The cold we face now is nothing compared to the bitter winter approaching.
In such circumstances, the demand for cotton surges dramatically.
The wealthy could afford garments lined with animal fur, but the common folk had no choice but to rely on quilted cotton clothing and blankets for warmth.
Thus, cotton prices had skyrocketed beyond measure.
In my previous life, Ma Jang-ju likely made considerable fortune selling cotton.
With those profits, he would have recovered his losses from the Baek Un Escort Agency investment.
But this time, those profits would be mine.
When men like Ma Jang-ju hoard wealth, it is only the innocent who suffer.
Still, seeing him sell off all his land suggests he intends to invest most of his remaining capital….
That would leave him in a difficult position until the returns come in.
“Manor Lord.”
“What is it?”
“Truthfully… wouldn’t it be burdensome to send all the investment capital to the Murim Alliance at once?”
“….”
He did not answer, but his silence was answer enough.
“In truth, they likely don’t need all that money at once. Why not issue a promissory note instead?”
“A promissory note?”
“Yes. Issue it through the pawn shop. That way, the Murim Alliance faces no burden in transferring the funds, and you reduce your own burden as well, do you not?”
“Ah… I see. You truly are the son of a house that moves great sums of money—quite sharp indeed.”
“Haha, you flatter me.”
There was good reason for me to suggest the promissory note to Ma Jang-ju.
“By the way, is there perhaps a place called the Han Family Martial School in this village?”
“Hmm? Why do you ask about that place?”
Ma Jang-ju’s expression grew tense at my question.
“Actually, I had business in the Northern Sea some time ago. As you know, our Eunhae Trading Company has been distributing high-quality hides in large quantities.”
“Ah yes, I’ve heard of it.”
“While there for that transaction, I happened to meet a brother and sister. We exchanged names, and they said they were from a place called the Han Family Martial School in Hanan Province’s Tae-gyeong County. I believe their names were Han Jae-ik and Han Jae-in….”
“Haha, of course I know them. But what were they doing there…?”
“Ah! They said they had come to have his younger sister enter the Northern Sea Ice Palace. Apparently, there was a request from the Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace. Since we had met by chance in the Northern Sea and I was curious about that place, I traveled with them to the inn before the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“An inn?”
“Yes. There is an inn in front of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
As I spoke, Ma Jang-ju’s complexion grew increasingly pale.
“Is there anything that troubles you, perhaps?”
“Ah, no. So what happened? That Jae-in….”
“Ah, Han Jae-in has safely entered the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“….”

* * *

After Eun Seo-ho departed, Ma Jang-ju urgently summoned his guard and questioned him.
“Deok-bae. I heard there’s an inn in front of the Northern Sea Ice Palace? Is that true?”
“Yes, from what I’ve heard, there is indeed an inn. I’ve been told it’s the only place men can visit.”
“….”
“Damn it!”
He brought his fist down upon the table.
“Why do you say so?”
At the guard’s question, Ma Jang-ju erupted in fury.
“What Han Jae-in’s father said was true! That girl Jae-in really did enter the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“….”
Deok-bae, the warrior, spoke with a worried expression.
“Then this is grave. If the Han Family Martial School learns of what you’ve done to them… they may seek revenge later.”
“That’s a problem for another time. Right now, I have a far greater concern. I promised to personally guide Eun Seo-ho, the Small Merchant Guild Leader, to the Han Family Martial School the day after tomorrow.”
Even the slightest inquiry would reveal that the Han Family Martial School exists here and that its eldest son is Han Jae-ik.
So I cannot claim it doesn’t exist here.
But now, by my own orders, that place is withering away.
If I were to show him that pitiful state….
Eun Seo-ho might cancel the deal we had made.
Indeed, before any money changes hands, he could nullify it if he had sufficient pretext.
And my dishonor could spread far and wide.
‘That cannot happen.’
He immediately summoned his attendant.

* * *

“Uh….”
Han Jae-ik felt utterly dumbfounded.
Just yesterday, Ma Jang-ju had been desperate to devour his family, yet now the Manor Lord smiled incessantly and treated him with unexpected warmth.
“Why didn’t you mention earlier that you knew Eun Seo-ho, the Small Merchant Guild Leader?”
“You never asked….”
“Ha ha! Such connections should be flaunted without hesitation.”
“….”
Meanwhile, the workers Ma Jang-ju had brought were repairing the damaged sections of the Martial Arts School.
The warehouse was being filled with grain, and firewood was being stacked in one corner of the courtyard.
The handmaidens were cleaning the house thoroughly, and two physicians had arrived to treat Han Jae-ik’s Father.
“I’ve been mistaken all this time. Eun Seo-ho, the Small Merchant Guild Leader, told me that your younger sister entered the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“Ah, yes. I brought her there myself.”
“I heard it was at the direct request of the Northern Sea Ice Palace’s Young Palace Master that you brought her.”
At those words, Han Jae-ik recalled the letter that had been delivered to his home yesterday evening.
It was a scroll containing a request that Han Jae-in, being a talented individual, be brought into the palace. At the end, even the seal of the Northern Sea Ice Palace’s Young Palace Master was stamped.
And enclosed with it was a letter from Eun Seo-ho stating that it would be necessary.
I had no idea how he obtained that scroll bearing the Young Palace Master’s name.
‘Well, if it’s Eun Seo-ho, the Small Merchant Guild Leader, it would be possible.’
He nodded quickly.
“Ah, that’s right. I forgot to show it to you.”
He naturally entered the room, retrieved the scroll, and showed it to him.
“….”
Cold sweat streamed down Ma Jang-ju’s back as he saw it.
Despite it being the cold winter season.
“Ahem, ahem, but why didn’t you mention this?”
“It felt burdensome somehow.”
“In any case, I apologize. Ha ha ha.”
“….”
“Well… when Eun Seo-ho, the Small Merchant Guild Leader, visits this place the day after tomorrow, please speak well of me then.”
“Ah… yes.”
Han Jae-ik answered thus while scratching his cheek.
It felt as though I had been possessed by a ghost.
Yet it was crystal clear who was responsible for this situation transforming so dramatically from yesterday’s misery.
Because of this, my resolve became even more steadfast.
‘I must secure employment with the Eunhae Trading Company.’

* * *

Day broke.
Through Seo-woo Warrior, I learned that Ma Jang-ju had rushed to the Han Family Martial School to hastily settle matters.
“It’s unfolding exactly as I expected.”
Seo-woo Warrior laughed at my words.
“You resolved that matter faster than anticipated.”
“While remaining here, even briefly, shouldn’t we ensure a comfortable stay?”
“True. But… do you believe Han Gongja’s family will be leaving this place?”
“Yes. It would be uncomfortable for everyone otherwise.”
“I suppose that’s fair.”
Of course, I understood it was unavoidable due to Ma Jang-ju’s influence.
But understanding and feeling disappointed were two different matters.
And the villagers would surely carry guilt and regret toward the Han Family Martial School as well.
“When do you plan to visit the Han Family Martial School?”
“The day after tomorrow. And once the Murim Alliance representative collects the promissory note tomorrow, you can proceed as I instructed.”
Seo-woo Warrior grinned widely at my words.
“This feels like being a righteous hero from a novel.”
The purchase price for the cotton field I would give to Ma Jang-ju came from my personal funds.
Thanks to diligently accumulating wealth, such an expenditure posed no real problem.
And I intended to quietly recover that money.
I could not tolerate even a single coin of mine entering the Baekcheon Trading Company or the Murim Alliance.
Especially knowing it would all be squandered anyway.
Yet even if I recovered that money quietly, not a single coin would return to my pocket.
All of it would be used for the residents of Taekyung County.
Honestly, cultivating cotton demands considerable labor. Thus, children old enough to discern right from wrong were forcibly conscripted into cotton cultivation, or so Palgap’s investigation revealed.
They should have received compensation accordingly, but according to Palgap’s findings, the residents received far less than they deserved.
Moreover, whenever Ma Jang-ju fancied something—whether object or person—he claimed it as his own without distinction.
Therefore, that money rightfully belonged to the welfare of Taekyung County’s residents.
I was merely returning on Ma Jang-ju’s behalf the wealth he had extorted.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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